Programs

Parent Education:

Children With Health Challenges

The Nurturing Program for Parents and Their Children with Health Challenges program is designed to offer support to families as they navigate the uncharted waters of parenting when a child is born or diagnosed with a life-altering illness. There have been many resources, books, articles, curriculums, and parenting programs that provide insight into raising children. These resources often provide structure and strategies to enhance parent child relationships and focus on the raising of happy, competent and caring beings. Very few programs, however, address the unique experience of families challenged by a life-altering illness and the impact that this situation has on the entire family system.

The Nurturing Program for Parents and Their Children with Health Challenges is conducted in a community or healthcare setting with a small group of families (four to six parents) The program focuses on the impact that serious illness has on the entire family. Philosophies of the program are consistent with available research and best practice recommendations for family support palliative care and hospice programs. Foundations of the program include a strong emphasis on promoting interactions that:

The program consists of eight two-hour sessions where children and parents meet separately for the first 90 minutes and then together for the last 30 minutes for snack and Program Family Time Activity.

Activities include: